How to Find Rock Painting Ideas and Inspiration at the Used Book Store

When I visit a used book store, it's an exciting adventure to discover new ideas and inspiration for my painted rocks craft.

I haven't found a book about rock painting, but I have discovered several titles with projects and ideas easily adaptable to rock painting.

I'll show you a page from several books I purchased at the used book store and why I chose them.

Books found on my first trip to the used book store

A Crafter's Book of Angels by Deborah Morgenthal

A Crafter's Book of Angels by Deborah Morgenthal

This book contains Angel projects using fabric, paper mache, sculpting, paper, animals, florals, wood, tin, wire, and glass. I can use many of the patterns for these projects to paint Angels on rocks.

Tole-Painted Outdoor Projects by Areta Bingham

Tole-Painted Outdoor Projects by Areta Bingham

This book was a great find. Not only did it contain two rock painting projects, but it's a great resource for step-by-step Tole painting instructions.

Pencil Drawing by Gene Franks

Sketching a design onto the stone is an important first step of rock painting. I can always improve my drawing skills. How about you?

Pencil Drawing by Gene Franks

I discovered these wonderful books on my second excursion to the used book store. Learn what drew me to them.

Books discovered on my second visit to the used book store

Better Homes and Gardens Easy Bazaar Crafts by Joan Cravens

This classic from 1981 drew my attention because of a quilt pattern featuring cats in various poses.
 

Better Homes and Gardens Easy Bazaar Crafts by Joan Cravens

Hearts - The Art of Making Gifts of Love and Affection by Juliet Bawden

When I find a heart-shaped rock, I prefer to take advantage of the shape and paint a heart design. This colorful page drew my attention to this book about making heart gifts.

Hearts - The Art of Making Gifts of Love and Affection by Juliet Bawden

Painting Wild Life Textures Step by Step by Rod Lawrence

This is, by far, the best book I've "snagged" at the used book store - a step-by- step guide for painting fur, feathers, scales, eyes, ears, bills, muzzles, tails, feet, antlers, and horns.

Painting Wild Life Textures Step by Step by Rod Lawrence

Talk about being in the right place at the right time! While I was sitting on the floor, looking through the Arts & Crafts section, the clerk shelving the newly-arrived books asked if I'd be interested in this one.


Tips

• Wear comfortable clothing. I often sit on the floor while I flip through my possible book selections
• Visit shelves for the subjects you enjoy painting not just the arts and crafts section
• The subject areas (or shelves) where I have the most luck are:
• Animals
• Art & Artists 
• Arts & Crafts
• Childrens
• Gardening
• Get the most bang for your buck. Try to find books with several ideas you can adapt to rock painting
• How-to-draw and how-to-paint books are always a great resource
• Check with the staff. They may have seen something come in that has not been shelved yet 

(All of the titles featured in this post are available online if you can't find it at a used book store and you'd like to have a copy.)

DISCLAIMER: I may receive revenues from any product recommendations or ads on this site.  

Rock Painting Ideas: Dogs and Puppies

I recently painted my first dog on a rock and enjoyed it more than I expected. (I'm a cat person.)

 

To help improve my canine drawing and painting skills, I now have a new Pinterest board for puppies and dogs: Ideas for Painted Dogs Rocks.

I painted this simple Corgi using a how-to drawing from my Pinterest Ideas for Painted Dogs Rocks board:

Visit my Pinterest Rock Painting Ideas and Helps board to get inspiration for other painted rocks projects.

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Painted Rocks: No Drawing Skills Required

I needed a break from detailed rock painting and created these colorful stones using an easy, no-drawing technique.

  
The only items required were a brush, some paint, masking tape, and, of course, stones.

I love to collect color palettes to inspire future rock painting projects. However, I often don't have the opportunity to try out the color combinations. (You can find beautiful color palettes here.) 

This simple, rock painting technique serves many purposes:

• Method for trying out new color palettes
• Easy project to undertake after time-consuming, detailed rock painting
• Use for stones with no definitive subject in mind
• Adds colorful stones to a give-away collection

You'll need:

• Smooth, flat stones
• Flat brush
• Masking tape
• Acrylic paint

Step 1: Use masking tape to section off a portion of the stone 

Step 2: Apply acrylic paint in your choice of color. 

Step 3: Once the paint is dry (you may need 1-3 coats), carefully remove the tape.

Repeat the process for each section you wish to cover with paint.

2 Sections have been completed

Geometric-painted stone with unpainted center section

Tips

• Smooth, flat stones work best

• Limit paint colors to 2-4 hues.
• Make sure the masking tape is firmly pressed onto the stone so no paint leaks underneath.
• Pull the tape off carefully after the paint has dried.
• You may need to touch up some areas when tape is pulled off.
• When painting between sections, a thin piece of masking tape can be used to section off the area. This will minimize the risk of removing paint from a dried section.

Ideas

• Embellish your geometric stones with dots, dashes, floral vines, etc.
• Leave a section of the stone unpainted
• Paint stones in flag colors of your country, sports team, etc.
• Use metallic, glitter, or other specialty paints for a different effect
• Mod Podge a saying, pretty flower, etc. onto the stone

No drawing skills. No problem. You can still have fun painting colorful rocks and stones.

Embellished geometric-painted stones

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

How to Improve Your Drawing Skills

I believe the more you create, the more creative you become.


An important element to creating painted rocks is being able to sketch the design first and here are 5 things to remember when you are drawing.

WE Design Studios believes everyone is a creative genius and have graciously shared these drawing tips.

If you remember and practice these 5 drawing tips:

1. Step back
2. Draw what you see
3. Consider composition
4. Be patient
5. Enjoy the process

...you will 

• Improve your rock painting
• Become more creative
• Find inspiration in unexpected places.

More drawing tips: Painting Rocks - Gaining Confidence and Skill.

Learn, practice, get creative and rock on!